While DAP seems set to face the coming general election on its own without its former Barisan Alternatif allies renegade party leader Goh Kheng Huat believes that opposition unity is the key to victory.

"It is my hope that DAP joins BA again to face the Barisan Nasional in the coming general election," said Goh who is Nibong Tebal (Penang) member of Parliament.

Goh was in Kulim, Kedah, today for the trial of 10 opposition leaders and members for 'illegal' assembly with the intention to riot and also for wrongfully confining bus drivers and passengers during the Lunas by-election in the state two years ago.

Goh who earned the title 'renegade leader' after defying party orders not to campaign for BA parties in recent by-elections was responding to the overtures by Penang Keadilan deputy chief Cheah Kah Peng who has been trying to court DAP's return via the Chinese media.

Cheah was recently reported in Chinese newspapers as saying that it is the hope of Malaysians to see a united opposition force in the country.

However, DAP, which quit the opposition front last September, has remained silent and pundits say it is unlikely the party would consider the offer unless a solution is found to the Islamic state and hudud law issue.

The Islamic state championed by former ally PAS was the catalyst for DAP's exit from the BA. Since then DAP leaders have campaigned aggressively against PAS, especially on the proposed implementation of hudud law in the PAS-controlled Terengganu state.

Joint manifesto

Despite this Goh remains optimistic. The DAP leader said there is still an opportunity to overcome the problems preventing his party's return.

He said DAP should not just focus on the Islamic state and hudud issues as the BA is still committed to the 1999 joint manifesto among the four component parties then which also included PRM.

"DAP should use the joint manifesto to restraint PAS from within," he said.

"We know it is difficult as PAS is hardheaded about this but it is more effective for DAP to knock some sense into PAS' head," he added.

Goh said opposition unity, if realised, will overshadow the Islamic state and hudud issues.

The renegade leader added that DAP should try to adjust itself to national objectives by coming together with other opposition parties to defeat their common enemy the BN.